Tag Archives: Community Development Director Jon Ward

The Cookeville City Council will consider a new cost structure for sidewalks after a Planning Commission vote. The pricing centers around in-lieu of construction fees, where a developer would pay the city money instead of constructing sidewalks for their new project. Community Development Director Jon Ward said city officials have considered the costs along with what other similar size communities ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council voted unanimously Thursday to amend the zoning code, clarifying the rules for where certain medical facilities, including methadone clinics, could locate. But after the vote, multiple council members made it clear that they do not want a methadone facility in Cookeville. Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the city’s current zoning rules were too restrictive and considered discriminatory under ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission approved the rezoning of land surrounding Dogwood Park from Local Commercial (CL) to Central Business District (CBD). Community Development Director Jon Ward said the impacted area includes Dogwood Park, the Cookeville Performing Arts Center, the Cookeville History Museum, the Putnam County Library, and a number of privately-owned businesses along East Broad Street. Ward said the area ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for a 49-lot development off Mine Lick Creek Road Monday night. Community Development Director Jon Ward said the project is called the Bungalows at Cookeville. It contains an easement from the TVA for power lines, as well as flood plains that cannot be built on. Ward said the plat would require a ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council is reviewing a request for the annexation of a five-acre track on North Nelson Avenue, off Highway 70 west of town, currently suffering from septic failure. Community Development Director Jon Ward said the owner of the property has requested that the property be annexed to receive sewer services from the city. He said adding sewer capacity to ... Read More »

Cookeville City Council discussed the potential to allow private and parochial schools in Commercial Industrial zones as New Colossus Academy looks to build on the Mackie Farm. Community Development Director Jon Ward said public, technical, vocational, and K-12 schools are already permitted in CI zones. He said this would align private schools with the city’s other educational uses. Council Member ... Read More »

Cookeville has received final approval to install gateway monument signs at the Interstate 40 exits on Willow Avenue and Jefferson Avenue. Community Development Director Jon Ward said the signs will read “Cookeville, Home of Tennessee Tech.” He said the project is part of T-DOT’s Gateway Monument program. Ward said TDOT has a significant list of reviews and requirements required for ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission voted to create a new category of medical facilities in the city’s zoning code Monday night. Community Development Director Jon Ward said regional medical services would include non-institutional facilities that serve more than 150 patients with various outpatient services, as well as any service that requires a certificate of need from the state to operate. “This ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission has its plan for the new year including a new study on downtown parking. The Commission’s Annual Report and Program Design for 2024 includes updating the city’s 2030 plan, conducting a study on the parking requirements in the city’s downtown, and studying stand-alone residential and mixed-use development within commercial zones in the city. Community Development Director ... Read More »

The Cookeville Planning Commission approved an amendment to the zoning code that would allow private schools to exist on commercial-industrial mixed use land. The amendment requested by New Colossus Academy Headmaster Dan Bailey. The school wants to purchase land on Salem Road for a new facility. During the commission’s Monday meeting, Bailey told the commission that public, technical, and vocational ... Read More »